NATIONAL GRID

Title: Index Number:

WI-NG-6460-002-028
HV Tests on Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Page Number:
2 of 7
Commissioning

2.0 RESPONSIBLITIES
- Anyone working in testing location during commission stage must follow the safety
requirements as per SEC rules and CSD employees are responsible for applying
safety rules in all places which they working in.
- Project site engineer is responsible for committing the contractor to prepare testing
and commissioning places to be done in proper climate conditions as per Company
policies, procedures and accepted temperatures the relays, devices and test
equipment can be tested or operated within it.
- All CSD staff are responsible for testing activities according to approved
specification and design
- CSD engineer/technician shall not start any test for HV Test on GIS until providing
the following and the Testing Contractor engineer is responsible for all providing:

o Approved test forms for HV test.

o All signed GIS equipment test forms.
o Approved schematic drawings.
o Protection requirement.
o Test equipment valid calibration certificates.
o Contractor engineer approved qualification certificate.

- Its responsibility of the CSD Engineer/Technician to check and witness all steps
required for HV Test on GIS following all of this work instruction.
- CSD Engineer/Technician is responsible for recording status of any test for HV
Test on GIS in its check list and test form as per the following work instruction.

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 NATIONAL GRID

Title: Index Number:

WI-NG-6460-002-028
HV Tests on Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Page Number:
3 of 7
Commissioning

3.0 Work Instruction of HV Tests on Gas insulated switchgear (GIS)

Safety General requirements as per IEC 60950-1

Preparation for HV test

1. The GIS shall be installed completely and gas-filled at its rated filling density.
2. The HV may be produced by:
- Test sets with a test transformer,
- Test sets with a variable resonant reactor for constant frequency,
- Test sets with constant resonant reactor for variable frequency,
- Energizing power or voltage transformers from the low-voltage side which entails
no dismantling after testing.
3. Some parts may be disconnected for the test, either because of their high charging
current or because of their effect on voltage limitation, such as
- High voltage cables and overhead lines;
- Power transformers and, occasionally, voltage transformer.
- Surge arresters and protective spark gaps.
4. Every newly installed part of a GIS shall be subjected to HV test on site.
5. In the case of extensions, in general, the adjacent existing part of the GIS should be de-
energized and earthed during the HV test.
6. In extension projects due to practical reasons of joining new and old GIS together, the
test may be performed at reduced voltage level for an extended duration , or soaks the
GIS (after joining old with new GIS) for 24 Hours at rated voltage. The above is
subjected to agreement between SEC and supplier and depending on the site
conditions.
7. The HV test shall be distinguished by their progressive voltage increase, performed in
order to achieve some form of electrical conditioning of the equipment before
commissioning.
8. The term electrical conditioning means a progressive application of an AC voltage
either by steps or continuously according to the manufacturers recommended test
procedure. It may be performed by the manufacturer as part of the gas-filling process
on site in order to move possible particles towards areas with low field strength, where
they become harmless.
9. Electrical conditioning is not requirement and does not replace the AC voltage test,
unless the test voltage is increased up to the specified value. Nevertheless, a disruptive
discharge should be reported to the user as it may result in weakening of the insulation.
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HV Tests on Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Page Number:
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Commissioning

10. The HV voltage tests are especially sensitive in detecting contaminations (e.g. free
moving conducting particles), and are, in most cases, also sufficient in detecting
abnormal field configurations.
11. It is often convenient to divide the whole installation of GIS into sections by opening
circuit breakers and/or disconnectors for at least one of the following reasons:
- To limit the capacitive load on the test voltage source.
- To facilitate the location of disruptive discharges.
- To limit the discharged energy if a disruptive discharge occurs.
12. For 3-phase enclosed GIS, the specified test voltage shall be applied between each
phase conductor, one at a time, and the enclosure, the other phase conductors being
connected to the earthed enclosure. The insulation between phase conductors shall not
be subjected to any other separate HV test on site.
13. All CT's secondary winding should be short circuited during the test and grounded.
14. Before the HV test the contractor should measure the PD level and record it and; at the
end of the test; subtract this value from the result (if applicable and possible to be
performed).

Test procedure

The capacitance current (mA) should be measured at all voltage steps and compared with
the estimated value.
Estimated value of capacitance current = V 2 f C
V: the test voltage (V).
F: the frequency of the applied voltage (Hz).
C: the capacitance of GIS (get from the manufacturer) (F).

Procedure A (recommended for 170kV and below)

- Electrical conditioning (depend upon the manufacturer)

- HV test for a duration of 1 min. at the value specified in the table no. (
1 )
- Partial discharge measurements according to table no. (2) When
decreasing the HV.

Procedure B (recommended for 245kV and above)

- Electrical conditioning (depend upon the manufacturer).

- HV test for a duration of 1 min. at the value specified in the table no. (
1 )

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Title: Index Number:

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HV Tests on Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Page Number:
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Commissioning

- Partial discharge measurements according to table no. (2) When

decreasing the HV.

Procedure C (recommended for 245kV and above, alternative to procedure B):

- Electrical conditioning (depend upon the manufacturer).

- HV test for a duration of 1 min. at the value specified in the table no. (
1)
- Lightning impulse tests with three impulses of each polarity and with
the value specified in table no. (1).

Assessment of the test

- The switchgear shall be considered to have passed the test if each section has
withstood the specified test voltage without any disruptive discharge.
- The partial discharge measurements within the limits (10 pC).
- In the event of disruptive discharge occurring during dielectric tests on site, the test
shall be repeated.

Repetition tests

The procedure to be implemented following a disruptive discharge during dielectric tests on

site may depend on several factors which include:

- The type of disruptive discharge (breakdown in self-restoring or non-self-restoring

insulation).
- Magnitude of the arc energy dissipated during the discharge.
- Shape and material of the solid insulation.

Consideration of these and any other relevant factors should allow a procedure to be
established and agreed between the manufacturer and SEC.

Table No. (1): On site test voltage (IEC 62271-203 @ 2003-11)

Rated On-site short duration power On-site lightning impulse

No. voltage for frequency withstand test ( Uds) 1 withstand voltage ( Ups) kV
GIS (Ur ) kV min kV
1 72.5 120 260
2 100 165 360
3 123 200 440
4 145 235 520
5 170 270 600
6 245 380 840
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Title: Index Number:

WI-NG-6460-002-028
HV Tests on Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Page Number:
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Commissioning

7 300 380 840

8 362 425 940
9 420 515 1140
10 550 560 1240

Table No. (2): On site partial discharge measurement (IEC 62271-203 @ 2003-11)
Rated System with solidly earthed System without solidly earthed
voltage for neutral neutral
GIS (Ur ) Pre-stress Test voltage for Pre-stress Test voltage for PD
kV voltage PD voltage measurement
( 1 min) kV measurement ( 1 min) kV ( > 1 min) kV
(HV test ) ( > 1 min) kV (HV test) 1.2 Ur
1.2 Ur / 3
1 123 200 85.21 200 147.6
2 145 235 100.45 235 174
3 245 380 169.74 380 294
4 420 515 290.9 515 504
Maximum permissible value for partial discharge is 10 pC

The procedures that should be done after the HV test finished successfully:

Put all voltage transformers in service.

Apply the rated voltage to the GIS.
Measure all voltage transformers secondary winding voltage in the Local control panels
in GIS switchgear.
Increase test voltage at (Vf * Ur) for 1 minute which :
Vf = voltage factor Ur = rated voltage

Test sheet

Test Test Capacitance current Partial discharge

voltage time (mA) measurement (pC)
remarks
Phas Phas Phas Phas Phase Phas
kV Hz Min.
eA eB eC eA B eC
Electrical conditioning*
Test voltage
Electrical conditioning*
Partial discharge
voltage
*Electrical conditioning steps depend upon the manufacturer.

Archiving System Website: http://AMAS TP-NG-6250-001-007

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Title: Index Number:

WI-NG-6460-002-028
HV Tests on Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Page Number:
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Commissioning

4.0 REFERENCES

Index Number /
Title
Reference Number
PR-NG-6460-002 Project Commissioning Procedure
WI-NG-6460-002-27 GIS Work Instruction
IEC 62271-203 @ HV Switchgear and Controlgear Part 203 (2003)
2003-11

5.0 REVISION HISTORY

Version Date Brief Description of Change / Annual Review

00 2015-07-01 First issue.

This document shall comply in accordance with the existing Companys Rules and Regulations.
Any modifications therein found not conformance with the document shall be declared invalid.
For clarification and verification on this document, contact the following:

Engr. Tarek Mohammad Ahmad

Technical Support and Coordination Division
Commissioning Services Department
Technical Services Business Unit
Extension No. 77469 Email: 69608@ngrid.sa

Archiving System Website: http://AMAS TP-NG-6250-001-007